Aiden and Abigail- months 2-4

"Blow-outs...

Most babies will have the occasional "blow-outs" or "poop belt" or whatever you may call it. My babies, however, are quite unique both in the volume of spit up that errupts from them hourly and by the explosive diapers they have. The prescription formula they are on- Elecare- is extremely constipating so they also take myrilax and milk of magnesia four times a day. It's really hard to find a happy medium- we are either constipated (& screaming in pain) or explosive! We chose explosive diapers but happy babies!:)



Ben's stomach sometimes absolutly cannot handle it-he gags and hands them off to me- interesting as men are called to war but cannot handle a poopy diaper...?


Aiden is very proud of himself and playing in the mess he created




Abigail, not to be shown up, has her own "blow-out". Literally, we unsnapped the diaper, and she let it rip- all the way across the room!

Maternity

Ok, so I've just gotten around to doing something with my maternity pictures. But the twins were quite a surprise when they came at 35 weeks! These were taken at 30 weeks. I LOVED being pregnant- all except for the last month or so of bedrest..:) P.S. Anyone know how to turn the pics in slide? when i copied them they were straight??

June 09

I absolutely LOOOOVE being a mom! The kids bring so much joy to our lives! What a sweet blessing from the Lord to give us these precious gifts!

Another miracle

"I have sought you and you have answered me..." I am happy to report there is no infection in my bone = no surgery! This is just one of many miracles the Lord has performed in our lives since we've had the twins. When the Dr. removed my toenail for my infection, he took an xray that cleary showed a hole in my bone. He said if it was just a hole it wouldn't have to be dealt with immediately. But if there was infection there that had been pushed down into my bone, we would have to do surgury immediately (an overwhelming thought for the mother of two special needs 5 month olds!). When we got the MRI results, the hole wasn't even there anymore! Dr. Carl said he couldn't explain it! The Lord graciously healed my foot and I am so thankful. It was such a sweet reminder from a loving father that He is still with us, will not forsake us, and really will not give us more than we could handle! Secondly, Abigail's MRI on her neck came back normal! God has been so good to us in giving us these twins and in answering so many requests. He wanted to bring me to a point of utter desperation for Him and HIm alone, and it is such a sweet place to rest. I find myself yearning for my time in the Word with Him... Thank you so much to all who have prayed- the Lord is reviving my heart again.
"In Christ alone, my hope is found. He is my light my strength, my song. This cornerstone, this solidground. Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease. My comforter, my all in all, Here in the love of christ I stand. "

Cute pics

Best friends

Just chillin'




Abigail is such a ham! Loves to have her pic taken!


Found my thumb!


After a procedure- snuggling w/ dad


My daddy's crazy!


Aiden just told Abigail a big secret...


sooo cute!






They didn't enjoy the pic time as much as mommy:)

"He sees each tear that falls..."

I had a few quiet moments this morning and decided to spend it with the Lord instead of doing the 100’s of things that need to be done (or so I often feel). The twins are now 4 months old, and yet it seems as though I’ve lived about 4 years of life in the last 4 months. I absolutely LOVE my children and LOVE being a mommy- love taking care of them, playing with them, watching them grow, ect! They are smiling and cooing and it is adorable! However, all the doctors’ appointments are just wearing on me. I literally have 3-5 appt’s a week with one/both of them and they just take nearly my whole day. It just seems as though we get over one bump, to be faced with another big issue. We went to the dr. mon w/ Abigail and they scheduled us to see a different dr- genetics. Went Wed w/ both- and found a heart murmur on Aiden so we’re headed to cardio. It’s disheartening, draining, lonely, and there doesn’t seem to be much light at the end of the tunnel. I realize that what God has called me to do right now is to be a full time mom- take care of my children & free up my husband to minister on the college campus. However, I don’t understand why my extra part time job is to go to the Dr. I also don’t understand why my babies are so sick and their issues multiplying. I do realize it could be worse…it’s just so hard sometimes. The only thing I can do with my feelings is to take them to the Lord and simply surrender to His will. So often I think what I need the most is relief from my pain, but really what I need the most is Him. I don’t have to understand His ways and workings in my life- life is about His glory and not my happiness or even my children’s relief from pain. Why God choose for these circumstances to be in our lives I do not know but I do know that through this he is absolutely changing the core of who I am and I pray bringing Himself glory! I continue to learn that the pathway to great joy is through suffering. Jesus suffered for the joy set before him and our sufferings are for the joy of knowing him more.
I’m not trying to complain, just trying to be honest. I’m truly thankful for so many things. Jehovah Jireh has provided for us in so many ways. People have brought us meals, given us money to help w/ all the medical bills, and given their time to come lend me a hand for a while. If not for these things life would be very overwhelming. Also, there is no telling what He is protecting us and the children from. They are both still with us- for which I am eternally grateful! Their issues could be much worse, I’m sure. I’m also so thankful for my wonderful husband. He is constantly serving our family and sacrificing for us. He’s soooo helpful and such a servant. And He is just my best friend (and sometimes it seems my only friend- with all the dr.’s appt I don’t have much time to spend with friends ). It’s hard to feel so not known and misunderstood by others. Ben understands because he’s walked each step with me (as has the Lord).

“He knows my name, he knows my every thought. He sees each tear that falls, and He hears me when I call”- a favorite song of mine
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. “ Ps 73:25-26

7th Specialist- Genetics & Aiden's heart

Well, Abigail did have 6 doctors that she saw and now we’ve added another one to the mix. Her MRI on her back came back normal (a tremendous praise! ). However, the neurosurgeon wants to do one on her neck now to check for the same things. He also wants her to see a Geneticist. It is possible that she could have a syndrome which would be the cause of all her many issues. At Aiden’s checkup the pediatrician heard a heart murmur which wasn’t there before. So we will be taking him to the cardiologists in the next few days to do an echo. Please pray for his heart to be normal, for Abigail’s MRI, and for no syndrome…Lastly, please pray for me. I have an infection we thought was MRSA (antibiotic reisistant staff) but now we are not so sure. I’ve had it for 4 months. Dr. Carl (orthopedic surgeon) is very concerned and thinks we may need to do some procedures on my foot. Please pray for healing…

Welcome home Abigial :) and goodbye Merrill :(

Huge praise!

just a quick update- I don't have much time:)
Abigail's CAT scan came back normal! Praise the Lord! The neurologists said he was very surprised and pleased to see the results- he thought she either had cereberal palsey, brain tumors, or improper fusing of the skull so severe that they would have to crack her skull (do brain surgery) in order to repair it. Thank you for praying- the Lord has heard our prayers! We took her to the neurosurgeon yesterday to discuss a helmet to correct the plagiocephaly (assymetry of her skull). He didn't recommend a helmet- but wanted her to get a MRI of her brain and spine. He (and her physical therapists) think her back arching is severe and concerning. He wants to check for tumors on her spine, or several other things (they don't like to discuss all the possibilities with you). Please pray for the MRI (procedure itself is a risk- they have to give her anesthesia and knock her completely out which is scary on a baby), and for great results.
Aiden has been screaming in pain for over a week now. What started out several weeks ago as constantly fussy has progressed into completely inconsolible almost all of the time. I know he's in pain I just can't figure out what is hurting him! Please pray for wisdom and discernment as a parent. I know the Lord gives us intuition as mommies- and I'm definitly in need of it now! The dr.'s can't seem to figure it out. Could be either refulx issue, GI issue, or an infection/sickness. His apnea monitor has started going back off again (and it didn't go off for nearly an entire month!) so that is definitly a concern. Please pray for him.
Thank you so much to all who have committed to pray for us. We have felt the Lord's presence all around us and it's so encouraging to have so many bearing our burden's with us. I can't wait for you all to meet our little miracles one day!
Lastly about life, the fall is starting and Ben is super busy. We are trying to figure out what this semester will look like for us, but with all the dr. appts and unknowns- i'm just taking it one day at a time! Both babies have gotten to where they smile sometimes and make eye contact. They are so fun- I love them sooo much!